A NORTH Yorkshire company producing nut-free food has beaten hundreds of other firms to reach the final of a national competition.
It's Nut Free Limited, of Ripon, is one of 50 businesses hoping to clinch the title of UK's best new entrepreneur and win £20,000 prize money.
Angela Gourlay-Russell and husband Stewart Russell launched their nut-free food range of desserts, cakes and biscuits just over a year ago because of their daughter Kirsty's severe nut allergy.
Ms Gourlay-Russell realised that more and more companies were using safety tags such as "may contain traces of nuts" on their products.
She said eating out was a challenge - having to trust the chef and kitchen staff to be aware of how serious her daughter's allergy can be.
It's Nut Free is to move to larger premises this summer and there are plans to branch out into savoury foods and ready-made food for pubs.
The couple could win a HSBC Start Up Star award. Ten finalists will be selected in September and share prizes worth more than £65,000.
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